"It seems sect master Han Qingling will have to let the cat out of the bag. Considering my earlier worries and senior Deng Chao's revelation, this is a risk that we just can't take," Yang Qing thought and from the look Lei Weiyuan gave him, he too was in favor of laying everything out.
At the end of the day, every single person who stepped into the Order was entitled to a fair conclusion, and hiding the truth from Zhao Qi would be more detrimental than good to him even though it seemed more beneficial in the Yellow lotus sect's side.
"Excuse me senior Deng Chao there is something I need to ask of the sect master of the Yellow lotus sect," Yang Qing said as he cupped his fist and disappeared on the spot leaving Deng Chao with a puzzled look.
….
Sect master Han Qingling had a troubled look on his face which deepened when he saw Yang Qing appear in front of him.
"I'm sorry sect master Han Qingling we will have to reveal everything you just told us to Zhao Qi though I would very much prefer it to come from you rather than me," Yang Qing gently said as he put on a solemn expression.
"Is it that bad?" sect master Han Qingling asked worriedly. He, just like Yang Qing had the same misgivings about Zhao Qi's mental state as even Zhao Qi's master had on more than one occasion raised his concerns. But what could they do? The die had already been cast, the Yellow lotus sect will be attacked, and everything was already in place the only things left in the air were when they would be attacked and how long it would take for the sect to fall.
They all had no illusions that they would make it out of this alive. The best they could do is to ensure they save as many seedlings as they could which drove them to hard measures like the one they used on Zhao Qi. Yes, there was a chance that he would develop an inner demon from that experience that would destroy his chance going forward but the elders all assumed because of the talent he showed as long as he was given enough time he would overcome it. But if he stayed in the sect then there was only one ending for him, death.
"It's much graver than you think. Based on what I've just learned if things progress as they are and he faces the tribulation for breaking through to the core formation realm he will most likely die and that is if he even reaches that far. If we leave things be as they are it's no different than sentencing Zhao Qi to death albeit his will be a slow and gruesome one.
If you care about him just trust him with the truth and let him decide the path that suits him. Same with owner Liu Yun of the Mountain spring pavilion.
Who knows maybe another path may open up for you and your sect," Yang Qing meaningfully said.
He knew if they managed to gain the support of Deng Chao they may just etch out a path of survival. Even though he was currently in a state where he couldn't even use 1% of his abilities he was still a half-step soul formation expert with over a millennium of experience and the founder of one of the top rank 2 sects in the whole continent. He was sure to have means that could help them in their current predicament.
But whether Deng Chao would agree to help them was another matter entirely.
"Fine, I'll tell them both," Han Qingling said as he sighed.
Yang Qing nodded in thanks as he flashed back to Zhao Qi's compartment.
"Senior Deng Chao, Cultivator Zhao Qi, there is something that the sect master of the Yellow lotus sect didn't reveal to you Zhao Qi hence why I separated you all but he has agreed to reveal to both you and the owner of the Mountain spring pavilion, Liu Yun.
I advise you hear him out.
Senior Deng Chao you can choose to reveal yourself to him or not, we will ensure to keep your anonymity should you choose the latter," Yang Qing said.
Zhao Qi was confused when he heard there was something the sect master wanted to tell him. However, that confusion turned to anger and then despair.
"What more could he want to say? Does he want me to pay for the transport costs coming here too, or my whole upkeep since coming into the sect? Whatever it is I would prefer not to hear it. Haven't they tormented me enough already? I'd rather stay here silently and await the decision the court will make concerning my fate. As long as I have grandpa Chao I'll be okay," Zhao Qi gloomily said as he got up and stood next to Deng Chao.
Yang Qing could only throw a pleading look toward Deng Chao who couldn't help but be puzzled as he turned to Lei Weiyuan who nodded his head to him.
"Little Zhao let's listen to him. Whatever else, do it for your sake so that whatever comes next you can move on with a clear heart. I'll be right there with you, if he says something that harms you I'll be the first to pull his beard and knit it into a cultivation mat for you," Deng Chao said as he tried to ease Zhao Qi's mood.
"Fine we will do it as you say, Grandpa," Zhao Qi begrudgingly answered but not before muttering something silently under his breath.
"I hope he doesn't say something bad, grandpa Chao's knitting skills are the worst. How does he turn even the softest of fur into a hard, spikey, and scaly mat?" Zhao Qi's back shivered as turned to see Deng Chao fiercely glare at him for his remark.
Yang Qing cupped his fists in thanks before he went over to Liu Yun's compartment and told him the same thing he said to Zhao Qi on the sect master's intent after which he removed the compartments and the courtroom resumed its normal appearance.
Mao Yunru, Yi Jie, and Su Jinjing were puzzled when they saw Deng Chao next to Lei Weiyuan and Zhao Qi. They were already puzzled when he appeared in the courtroom and headed directly into Zhao Qi's compartment where Yang Qing was at the time.
They had assumed it was just a random spot check to ensure Yang Qing wasn't up to mischief but seeing Deng Chao they had to reevaluate their earlier assumption.
Sect master Han Qingling and Liu Yun were also puzzled and confused at seeing two people there who were not in the courtroom with them.
Sect master Han Qingling's gaze narrowed on Deng Chao and then moved to Zhao Qi who seemed like he was hiding behind his back like a child would behind their parent when they saw a stranger.
"So that's how it is."
He was in the midst of reaffirming his thoughts when he felt an overwhelming pressure slam into his soul. Just when he thought he would pass out from the overwhelming pressure his soul was put under, he felt it disappear as though it was never there.
"I hope you give my grandson a satisfactory explanation for how you treated him. Mmph," Deng Chao said as he coldly stared at Sect master Han Qingling.
The sect master could barely breathe under that gaze that made him seem as insignificant as spit on the ground.
"Fellow daoist you shouldn't be too hard on your juniors," Lei Weiyuan spoke at the side which helped alleviate the torment Sect master Han Qingling was under which left his whole back soaked in sweat.
"I'm sorry I lost myself there," Deng Chao said as he bowed in apology to Lei Weiyuan and Yang Qing who was already at his podium.
Yang Qing could only nod in acceptance what else could he do? Reprimand him? That was out of the question in fact he admired Deng Chao's resolve because from his brief display it was evident he is able to kill someone of Han Qingling's caliber without anyone noticing by striking their soul.
But in all that time even with Zhao Qi's name being dragged through the mud he never did anything to them.
"Sect master please forgive him, this is Deng Chao. He is Zhao Qi's grandfather and only guardian. Next to him is supervisor Lei Weiyuan, my boss. He will be part of the procession as an observer and adviser too.
We are ready when you are for you to finally reveal everything to Zhao Qi and Owner Liu Yun," Yang Qing patiently explained. He didn't reveal Deng Chao's background as he figured the man in question would prefer it that way as it was in doubt whether he even told Zhao Qi about it.
Sect master Han Qingling couldn't help but wearily look at Lei Weiyuan despite not sensing any cultivation from him. Him being a boss of a palace realm cultivator meant his cultivation was at least higher and not lower. Also how he referred to Deng Chao as a fellow daoist he surmised they were on the same level.
He quickly tried to reign in his fear which he failed but he still decided to push through with it even with his hands shaking and stomach churning.
"Thanks, judge Yang Qing. Zhao Qi as your sect master I have failed you and for that, I am truly sorry. I don't expect you to forgive me even after hearing what I'm about to say because it doesn't change the fact that we put on you much more than you should have had to bear or deserve. And for that I am sorry.
Owner Liu Yun I would like to offer my apology to you too. You showed kindness and understanding to us despite not even knowing each other for long and all we gave you in return was betrayal, a web of lies, and possibly even inserted you in a situation that would have harmed not only you but even your organization.
Now that I'm saying it out loud I realize how careless and selfish we were in our plans despite our well-meaning intentions.
I am truly sorry to the both of you," Han Qingling solemnly said as he bowed at a ninety-degree angle toward both Zhao Qi and Liu Yun, whom were both shocked at his action.
Who was Han Qingling? He was a lofty figure and cultivator who was above many and had a cultivation realm way above theirs. A talent the Yellow lotus sect has not seen in years.
Zhao Qi may have been touted as a talent, especially with his blue-grade pillars but there was one person whose glamor he couldn't outshine and that was Han Qingling. There was a reason he was pushed to the sect master position of a behemoth like the Yellow lotus sect despite being young and there being more senior cultivators who were more powerful than he was at the time. There were even three that were half-step palace realm cultivators but he was unanimously made sect master despite it. The reason for this was he is the rarest talent the Yellow lotus sect has ever had since its inception 20,000 years ago and that was even taking the three palace stage experts into account.
He is the only one to ever form a gold core in the sect something so rare that there may be no more than five in some of the rank 2 sects.
When Zhao Qi met him for the first time during his promotion as a core disciple he remembered how Deng Chao was surprised that someone like him was in some rank 4 sect. His talent was enough for him to stand out even in rank 1 sects. Zhao Qi was utterly shocked when he heard it and here he was, that terrifying talent bowing to him.
He was shocked and conflicted on what to make of it.
